In 2007, millions of toys made in China were recalled by major toy manufacturers such as Mattel and Fisher Price because they were tainted with a lead-based paint that posed health risks to children. Last year, Chuck E. Cheese pulled back 1.2 million light-up rings and toy eyeglasses over concerns that the toys were easy to break and children might swallow the small batteries inside. And earlier this year, Fisher Price recalled 11 million tricycles, highchairs and other toys that were causing lacerations and other bodily injuries.
Written by Barrett Baker
There have been toy recalls almost as long as there have been toys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there are as many as 150,000 toy-related accidents or injuries annually that are serious enough to require emergency room treatment. In fact, if you visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website (www.cpsc.gov) and search for “Toy Hazard Recalls,” you’ll find an extensive list of toys that have been recalled since 1975 because of issues such as choking, laceration, ingestion, fire and burn hazards and violations of lead paint standards.
In addition to keeping tabs on toy recalls, parents need to be mindful of age recommendations listed on toy packaging, according to Dr. Jim Schmidt, a pediatric emergency room physician for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk and co-founder of Child Safety House Calls (childsafetyhousecalls.com).
“The number-one mistake people make is buying age-inappropriate toys,” says Schmidt, who says children under age three are particularly at risk for choking on toys that contain small parts. “The second biggest mistake people make is buying toys that can be used as weapons—such as play swords or projectiles that can cause eye injuries, lacerations and more—without assessing whether their kids are really ready for them.”
Avoid toys with sharp points or edges, keep away from small parts and look for items that are non-toxic. Schmidt advises parents to look for items that contain a seal of approval from a trusted agency or organization. When toys come with a registration card, parents should fill that out and send it in so they can be notified immediately if a safety recall is requested.
This year, some area parents are choosing to focus more on giving “the experience” rather than the usual assortment of plastic toys. “Whatever happened to going outside and tossing a baseball around, shooting hoops or throwing a football?” asks Darren Smith of Newport News, father to Logan (10) and Lillie (1). “If kids aren’t into sports, get them into books—even if it’s a comic book. Plastic toys and video games are not bad things, but boundaries should be set and we should all learn to have fun with our kids again.”
Ryan Troy of Williamsburg, father to Posey (5) and Jack (2) agrees: “Start getting kids interested in the arts, get them off the sofa and outside playing sports or interested in science, travel and the world around them. They’ll not only be more rounded educationally, they’ll have fewer problems with things like childhood obesity.”
But if children have already received tangible gifts in the past, is it difficult to explain how something like horseback riding lessons or space camp is just as good? “I don’t think so,” says Troy. “Both of our kids really enjoy going places and participating in activities. We already give them those types of options. For instance, as a reward for good behavior they were recently given the choice of going to the toy store or going to play miniature golf. The decision was unanimous—‘Pirate Golf!’ ”
Schmidt also suggests that if your children do receive toys as gifts it is up to the parents to introduce the concept of sharing. “Christmas time always gives us the opportunity to take stock of the toys we have and give some of those away to children who are less fortunate,” he says. “It’s a great way to instill a meaningful lesson in the midst of all the toys they are receiving.”
Shop These Sites for Safe-Bet Toys
Alternative Gift Ideas
Worried about recalls and other safety issues when it comes to your
children’s toys? Here are some safe bets:
Books—look for age recommendations that are suitable for your kids’ ages. Young children will enjoy picture books while older children may enjoy reading classic series such as “Nancy Drew” or the “Hardy Boys.”
CDs—introduce your kids to the beauty of classical music or look for music from favorite shows like “Sesame Street.”
Day Trips—purchase family passes to museums, petting zoos, nature areas, etc.
Donations—make a donation in your children’s names to places such as the World Wildlife Fund (worldwildlife.org), the Humane Society of the United States (www.humanesociety.org, or your local shelter) or Heifer International (heifer.org) and explain how their donation is helping to make the world a better place.
DVDs—look for educational shows or family classics such as “Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang,” “Swiss Family Robinson,” or the original “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Magazine Subscriptions—the gift that gives all year round, there are a number of magazines that are targeted specifically to children such as National Geographic Kids, Highlights, Ranger Rick or Disney Family Fun Magazine.
Nature Kits—let your kids watch the miracle of nature unveil right before their eyes with sea monkeys, ant farms or educational kits that explain things like the lifecycle of a frog (starting from tadpoles).
Theater—take the kids to see a musical such as “The Lion King” or buy them movie passes to a local cinema.
Vacations—make a family vacation to somewhere kid friendly (such as Disney) a gift for the whole family.
December 9, 2010 at 9:52 am
Why don’t I have a byline on this?
December 28, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Sorry about that Barrett! Ammended!